Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chair Vanessa Eparaima said she is delighted to appoint
someone with the experience Mr Flavell brings to the role. “Te Ururoa has a
strong background in Māori education as a leader in Māori language
revitalisation and in leading Māori development.
He is widely respected across Māoridom and the political spectrum and has
knowledge of government from his time as a Minister as well as
extensive networks in Wellington and across communities throughout Aotearoa.
“Te Ururoa has a strong track record for his leadership and advocacy for
Māori especially in education,” said Mrs Eparaima.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is the country’s second largest tertiary education
provider, providing training and education to almost 32,000 tauira last year
and employing more than 1700 staff throughout Aotearoa.
Mrs Eparaima said the wānanga, which provides education from certificate to
masters and delivers 66% of all te reo Māori education in the tertiary
sector, was excited by the skills and experience Te Ururoa brings to the role
and his expertise as a te reo Māori advocate and practitioner.
“We have an essential part to play in lifting Māori participation and
qualifications in te reo Māori and we have ambitious plans to enhance all our
programmes and educational delivery, with a strong focus on quality teaching and
digital learning. “Te Ururoa brings a reputation of hard work and leading
from the front alongside a background of highly capable leadership.”
Mr Flavell said he was looking forward to taking up the role after his time
as an MP, co-leader of the Māori Party and Minister, most recently
as Minister of Māori Development and Whānau Ora.
“I am proud that I was able to serve our people in Parliament and
of the achievements that were made for Māori. I am passionate about Māori
development and Māori success. My time as a politician has come to an
end and will help me in my new role. My passion for Māori and for
Māori success will continue at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
“Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has done a wonderful job in providing access
into tertiary education for many people over the years and I am excited
to be given the opportunity to advance the aspirations Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
has for communities around Te Reo revitalisation, Māori education, and access to
quality, affordable tertiary education,” Mr Flavell said.
“The challenge is to take Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to the next level,
to refine and enhance all that we do,” Mr Flavell said.
Mrs Eparaima said Mr Flavell will start in his new role on 20 August,
and replaces Dr Jim Mather who did not seek reappointment to the role and
is stepping down after five years in the job.
“I want to acknowledge Jim for his leadership over the last five years. He has
implemented a number of important organisational projects and has been a strong
advocate for tauira success, and I thank him for his service and wish him
well in his future mahi,” Mrs Eparaima said.
ENDS